Outer Banks Pets 2023 from The Coastland Times

Outer Banks

Not all those who wander (the Gardens) are lost

By Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com

Meet Kevin and Camellia, the two cats that are just as much a part of The Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island as the plants and flowers that comprise this gorgeous venue. Kevin came from a home not too far away from the gardens. Gardens manager Dan Hossack said that he kept getting out and running to the gardens,

so much so that, eventually, Kevin made the gardens his permanent home. He is very recognizable by his black spots painted on a white fur coat, reminiscent of cow patches. And, most importantly, Kevin loves belly rubs. Camellia has lived on the premises since she was a kitten, and even had a litter on site. She is guesstimated to be around 12-years-old, as is Kevin. Camellia is black and white with some

brown mixed in. Her signature feature is the black spots under her nose, which make it appear like she has a little mustache.

Early on, Camellia was known as “Mama Cat” after her litter was born, and Hossack fondly called her “Fluffy Butt,” before renaming her after a flower that graces the grounds. Hossack shared that Kevin and Camellia are very well taken care of by gardens staff. They are seen by Dr. Terri Davis,

who practices out of Virginia and volunteers at the gardens; she keeps the cats up on their vaccinations. Both felines are spayed/neutered. Kevin has taken up residence on the maintenance grounds, whereas Camellia spends her days around the garden’s nursery. Due to the fact that the felines have pretty much become family, new executive director Theresa Armendarez made room in the budget for the cat’s

needs, including food and vaccinations. “It’s been nice for them to have a lot more attention and get what they need,” the gardens manager said happily.

Over the years, both Kevin and Camellia have had to be treated for different ailments. Hossack reported that Kevin came down with a nasty chest infection that led to multiple vet visits to drain fluid as well as medication.

“We honestly didn’t know

if he was going to make it.”

Camellia dealt with respiratory issues last summer, and was seen by Dr. Blythe Hayes at Sound Veterinary Hospital. Both cats responded to treatment and have recovered fully.

Hossack said both cats are “friendly” and “easygoing.” Guests are welcome to interact with the cats while visiting the gardens and show them some love. “Ultimately, they just want loving.”

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Camellia’s signature feature is the black spots under her nose, which makes it appear like she has a little mustache.

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Kevin kept coming back to The Elizabethan Gardens so regularly that eventually he just called it home.

Outer Banks Pets

Ocean Sands K-9 Resort: It’s all about trust

By Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com

Pam Anderson co-owns

Ocean Sands K-9 Re -

sort with her husband

Paul. The duo has crafted a trust-based, individualized pet care service that meets dogs, and their owners, where they’re at, and focuses on building a genuine relationship between pet, parent and caretaker. With decades of knowledge and expertise in human and dog behavior/psychology, the Andersons have built a safe haven for boarded pets, along with services that cater to several needs within their community and beyond.

At Ocean Sands K-9 Resort, pet owners can put their minds at ease knowing their beloved furry friends are receiving the utmost of care. Anderson walked through a basic meet-and-greet session with The Coastland Times, where dogs and their owners meet with the couple first so that they can become comfortable with the grounds, and begin to establish a bond built on trust, between the owners, their pets, and the “primary care providers.”

A primary care provider system entails one person that is designated to establish the bond with a pet and be the one to care entirely for that animal. This one-on-one relationship guarantees full focus on one’s pet, which aids in a stress-free environment, from the pet owner down to the pet. Anderson recognizes that emotions “travel down the leash,” and creating harmony among all parties is key. It’s all about trust. An

dog that comes into her care does not trust her, their time at the facility will be grueling, and their well-being will suffer. Meeting with the dogs individually before they stay at the resort and learning their habits, mannerisms and relationship with their owners is crucial in developing the correct pet care plan.

The co-owner shared a story regarding one particular female dog that was suffering from separation anxiety and had a hard time adjusting to boarding. The dog would bear her teeth while being coaxed into a run, and

run anxiously back and forth within the yard. It took days, patience, multiple Carroll scenarios and a lot of treats for this dog to gain trust with Anderson. With time, she gradually developed a bond and now goes easily into her run before her primary care provider and allows her care-taker to love on her while staying at Ocean Sands K-9 Resort.

Taking into consideration the added stress of separating dog from owner, Anderson believes that not co-mingling the pets that stay at her facility is the best thing, both for their safety and emotional

well-being. Every animal is different. Every animal has specific wants and needs. Anderson’s job is to figure out those needs and meet them to the best of her ability.

In addition to boarding services, Ocean Sands K-9 Resort also offers taxi services, hybrid care (pick-up/drop-off services throughout the day for dogs who aren’t staying overnight), photography and wedding services for those who wish to include their pets in their special day. “We wanted to bring a lot of what the big cities have available to pet owners to the beach.”

The Andersons also offer free programs to help pets overcome their separation anxiety prior to boarding.

Clients have the opportunity to bring their pets by the facility and gradually lengthen the amount of time they are apart from their pets. “It may take that parent coming once a week for two months,” Anderson shared. Once the dog seems ready to spend a night, their owners are welcome to a try out a trail run.

“We’ve been able to acclimate and train these

animals … and we’ve had dogs stay here that can’t stay with anyone else.”

What sets Ocean Sands K-9 Resort apart is their dedication to supporting each pet’s needs and taking that extra step willingly.

In listening to the community and seeking feedback, the resort is now working on opening a pet crematorium, and currently offers bereavement services. More information can be found on their website at oceansandsk9resort.com.

Resident cat keeps an eye on things at Holistic Pet Shop

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Pam Anderson believes that meeting with dogs individually before they stay at the resort and learning their habits, mannerisms and relationship with their owners is crucial in developing the correct pet care plan.

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Every animal has specific wants and needs. Pam Anderson’s job is to figure out those needs and meet them to the best of her ability.

Outer Banks Pets

Spay/neuter benefits cats and community

By Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com

Friends of Felines, located on Hatteras Island, is a non-profit organization that seeks to help the growing community cat population in each of the seven villages that comprise the island. Their mission focused around TNR (trap, neuter, release), vaccinating and ear tipping in order to humanely control the feral cat population and promote health and longevity in the lives of the felines that live alongside the residents of Hatteras Island.

Director Debbie Martin started Friends of Felines back in 2009, as both her and her husband are cat lovers and passionate about both caregiving and giving back to their community. Over the years, the organization has hosted bi-annual clinics, where North Carolina veterinarians will come to spay, neuter, vaccinate and microchip feral cats. Martin shared that these clinics have been extremely successful. In the past, over 100 cats have been worked on in a week. Not only is the service effective, but humane.

Friends of Felines has gained backing from Dare County and the Outer Banks SPCA. They received $100,000 in funding last year for TNR, which has allowed the non-profit to trap and transport cats to participating vet offices to perform spay/neuter at no cost. Once the cats are spayed/neutered and vaccinated, their ears are tipped so that they are easily recognized as having undergone TNR. “This has been extremely beneficial for our community,” Martin said.

Spaying and neutering feral cats cuts down on the amount of litters produced every year. According to a chart from North Shore Animal League, by spaying and neutering one male and one female cat, more than 2,000 unwanted births can be prevented in just four years. In addition, more than 2 million births can

be prevented in eight years! As it stands, it is estimated that there are over 3,000 free-roaming cats on Hatteras Island alone.

Martin emphasized the importance of spaying/neutering as a control measure for the community cat population as a whole.

Along with controlling the number of feral cats in the area, spaying and neutering leads to healthier felines. The director noted, “Just spaying and neutering an animal allows them to live a healthier life, and not have the diseases that are passed around by unhealthy animals because they’re not spayed and neutered.” Interestingly enough, breast cancer is very prominent in animals such as cats. Spaying and neutering reduces the chance of a cat developing breast cancer as well as other diseases, and allows a cat to have a longer, healthier life.

Another upside to neutering is minimizing the number of male cats that roam, spray and in turn, impregnate female cats, both feral and domesticated. “I can’t stress the importance of doing it and taking advantage of the programs that are out there to help you.”

Martin reported that the amount of care-givers in the community is exponential. There have been instances, she said, where people will go without, just so that their animals are fed and taken care of. If anyone is looking for help with their cats, the director wanted to ensure them that there are resources available and people willing to help however they can.

While Friends of Felines is not a shelter, nor do they relocate free-roaming cats, they do offer technical and financial support with TNR, vaccinating and microchipping feral cats, along with lending humane traps on Hatteras Island. Those looking for these services are welcome to learn more about the organization at fofhi.org and email Friends of Felines at fofhi@yahoo.com.

Outer Banks Pets

A day in the life at Hatteras Island Pet Resort

Friends of Felines, located on Hatteras Island, is a non-profit organization that seeks to help the growing community cat population in each of the seven villages that comprise the island. Their mission focused around TNR (trap, neuter, release), vaccinating and

ear tipping in order to humanely control the feral cat population and promote health and longevity in the lives of the felines that live alongside the residents of Hatteras Island.

Director Debbie Martin started Friends of Felines back in 2009, as both her and her husband are cat lovers and passionate about both caregiving and giving back to their community. Over the years, the organization has hosted bi-annual clinics, where North Carolina veterinarians will come to spay, neuter, vaccinate and microchip feral cats. Martin shared that these clinics have been extremely successful. In the past, over 100 cats have been worked on in a week. Not only is the service effective, but humane.

Friends of Felines has gained backing from Dare County and the Outer Banks SPCA. They received $100,000 in funding last year for TNR, which has allowed the non-profit to trap and transport cats to participating vet offices to perform spay/neuter at no cost. Once the cats are spayed/neutered and vaccinated, their ears are tipped so that they are easily recognized as having undergone TNR. “This has been extremely beneficial for our community,” Martin said. Spaying and neutering feral cats cuts down on the amount of litters produced every year. According to a chart from North Shore Animal League, by spaying and neutering one male and one female cat, more than 2,000 unwanted births can be prevented in just four years.

By Cane N. Fluffentail  (with help from Elaine at Hatteras Island Pet Resort)

In addition, more than 2 million births can be prevented in eight years! As it stands, it is estimated that there are over 3,000 free-roaming cats on Hatteras Island alone. Martin emphasized the importance of spaying/neutering as a control measure for the community cat population as a whole.

Along with controlling the number of feral cats in the area, spaying and neutering leads to healthier felines. The director noted, “Just spaying and neutering an animal allows them to live a healthier life, and not have the diseases that are passed around by unhealthy animals because they’re not spayed and neutered.” Interestingly enough, breast cancer is very prominent in animals such as cats. Spaying and neutering reduces the chance of a cat developing breast cancer as well as other diseases, and allows a cat to have a longer, healthier life.

Another upside to neutering is minimizing the number of male cats that roam, spray and in turn, impregnate female cats, both feral and domesticated. “I can’t stress the importance of doing it and taking advantage of the programs that are out there to help you.”

Martin reported that the amount of care-givers in the community is exponential. There have been instances, she said, where people will go without, just so that their animals are fed and taken care of. If anyone is looking for help with their cats, the director wanted to ensure them that there are resources available and people willing to help

however they can. While Friends of Felines is not a shelter, nor do they relocate free-roaming cats, they do offer technical and financial support with TNR, vaccinating and microchipping feral cats, along with lending humane traps on Hatteras Island. Those looking for these services are welcome to learn more about the organization at fofhi. org and email Friends of Felines at fofhi@yahoo. com.

Outer Banks Pets

Tyrrell County Animal Shelter: Shop (adopt) small!

By Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com

Tyrrell County Animal Shelter is run by animal control officer Cecil Lilley and a small group of dedicated volunteers that have worked to ramp up support for their shelter via social media. Friends of Tyrrell County Shelter Animals is a volunteer-run Facebook page that showcases adoptable dogs and cats residing at the shelter, which has been running at maximum capacity all year long.

Kirstin Bradley began helping out at the shelter eight years ago, after a hurricane soared through and devastatingly cleared out the space. She heads over to the facility a few

days a week to help feed the animals and let them out to get some exercise and fresh air. Bradley, alongside volunteers Lauren Nelson and Denise Liverman, have worked hard to gain traction on Facebook in an effort to find qualified adopters in the area.

“Lauren played a huge role in increasing our social media presence on the Facebook page,” Bradley shared. “We’ve really started working together to rev that up and schedule our pets of the week.” Each week, an adoptable dog or cat is featured on the page. In addition, photos and captions are posted regularly to create exposure of their full shelter.

Right now, the shelter

is working to touch base with rescue partners and reach qualified adopters, meaning those that can provide their sheltered animals with healthy, indoor living conditions and keep the animal fully vetted. “That’s really our biggest challenge, is getting the word out to make connections.” Bradley reported that the Outer Banks SPCA has helped out “tremendously” in moving animals to their facility once Tyrrell County Animal Shelter reaches full capacity, which has been an ongoing issue. “We would not be afloat without them.”

Bradley shared that Lilley’s continued support and willingness to help care for the animals has

Pet safety in these dog days of summer

By Dr. Mark Grossman Roanoke Island Animal Clinic

A heat wave is hard enough on us humans, but it can be just as dangerous – or more so – for pets. Cats and dogs lack the sweat glands we upright creatures rely on for cooling. They can easily overheat. Some dogs may keep running and playing right into the advanced stages of heat stroke. This can cause brain damage, organ failure, and death.

So it’s up to pet owners to take steps to protect our furry companions during hot, humid weather.

1)  Never leave pets in the car. As with children it’s unsafe and potentially deadly to leave an animal in the car – even for

a few minutes on a hot day. The inside temperature of the vehicle can quickly reach 120 degrees, regardless of whether the windows are cracked.

2) Avoid activities (even long walks) during the hottest time of the day. Short walks and some fun in the shade are fine. But with specially compromised dogs (see #4 below) I’d avoid this, too.

3) Know the signs of heat stroke, including heavy panting, brick red gums or tongue, rapid pulse, staggering, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, and an inability to calm down, even when lying down. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, begin cooling them down and get

See Safety, B6

made all the difference. The animal control officer assists on weekends and off-hours to open the gate, feed, let out dogs and clean the shelter, on top of coming in while he is not out on duty throughout the week. All adoptions must go through Lilley, and are appointment-based.

While interaction within the Facebook page has been beneficial, the shelter welcomes further support in fostering, transporting and finding qualified adopters. “We have adoptions that have worked out amazingly this year … but it’s been a really hard year.”

COURTESY KIRSTIN BRADLEY

COURTESY KIRSTIN BRADLEY

COURTESY KIRSTIN BRADLEY

COURTESY KIRSTIN BRADLEY

COURTESY KIRSTIN BRADLEY

Outer Banks Pets

By Danielle Puleo danielle.puleo@thecoastlandtimes.com

Poodles and Bob, a pet retail shop that offers inhouse grooming, is owned and operated by Debra Johnson. Upon retiring from healthcare and considering options for a new chapter in her life, Johnson decided to meld her diagnostic skills with her experience and knowledge in the pet sector to create a one-stop shop for all things furry. Today, she takes pride in helping pet owners provide the best care for their canine and felines companions.

The name “Poodles and Bob,” comes from Johnson’s very own pet crew; she has two poodles, Scout and Birdie, and a chocolate English lab named Sailor “Bob,” along with two cats, Willow and Henry Higgins. The brand’s motto is “Love your pets,” just as she has. In working with her pets and exploring pet nutrition and behavior over the years, Johnson had fully equipped herself with an understanding of what pets need to live wholesome, healthy lives, and shares that with her customers.

“Today, we have things that make it better for a dog and keep them out of the vet’s office more, and allow you to handle things more and set them up for success in their life and live healthily ’til they’re 14, 15 years old,” said

Johnson, who has worked closely with holistic veterinarians by attending webinars and researching pet nutrition online. It doesn’t just come down to diet and exercise with dogs. Nutrition is just as important as alleviating anxiety, as both can take a toll on a dog’s mental and physical well-being.

Johnson carries several products that pet owners can “top” their dog’s food with to add that extra boost of nutrition regularly. The Honest Kitchen produces superfood toppers that are made with clean, human-grade ingredients and make it easy to “add nutrition to the bowl.” The shop owner also sells toppers made of mushrooms grown locally at a farm in Currituck. She shared that mushrooms have anti-cancer properties, along with other health benefits that aid in a dog’s overall well-being.

As far as stress goes, Johnson has had her fair share of personal experiences as well as client testimonials when it comes to anxiety in dogs, and knows how crucial it is to keep pets as stress-free as can be. “With so many of our travelers coming here, it’s really important that I’m able to talk to them about this stuff.”

Travel tends to maximize stress in animals, which can lead to upsetting behavior and unanticipated accidents. Poodles and Bob welcomed

Soggy

As the dog days of summer wind down, the Soggy Doggy Pool Party returns to the Outer Banks Family YMCA! For the fourth year in a row, pups of all sizes get their chance to jump in for an afternoon

of splash-filled fun while raising funds for the Coastal Humane Society.

Aquatics director Sam Wills says, “It’s the best day of the year. We raised over $600 last year and it’s such a blast.”

in a family in distress that was vacationing one year. They had brought an eight-month-old husky/ German shepherd puppy with them on their trip; the puppy was way out of his element, and ended up nipping one of the children during their stay. “They had no way to cope with it,” Johnson explained.

The frightened dog owners sought advice from Johnson, who fitted the puppy with the correct harness and leash and sent the pup’s parents home with natural anxiety relief from HomeoPet. Afterward, the pet owners were happy to report that the puppy was much more confident and calm. They sent Johnson photos of the dog sitting peacefully next to kids while they played, and said it was a “win-win” for them and the pup to have gone to Poodles and Bob.

Johnson sells several products that combat anxiety, including all-natural anxiety relief, calming peanut butter, “LickiMat” feeders, West Paw treat dispensers and mentally-stimulating dog puzzle toys. Based on her own pet experience, the store owner can verify the reliability and satisfaction of these items with her customers, which makes a world of difference.

“I’ve been a pet owner all my life; I know a lot of stuff and have experience … I know that it can be

overwhelming.” Because Johnson knows what it’s like to own a pet and not always have things go as planned, she enjoys being a reliable resource for local and visiting pet

owners alike. Not only is the shop stocked with pet essentials, but Poodles and Bob offers grooming at their spa as well as cold laser and acupoint stimulation therapies. All in all,

Johnson’s shop is paradise for both people and their pups.

Timed perfectly as a grand finale to the outdoor pool season, dogs are welcome to take a refreshing dip for a $10 donation, with all proceeds contributing to the Coastal Humane Society Emergency

Assistance Fund. As an all-volunteer charity driven by community donations, the Coastal Humane Society provides vital services to pets in need, including spaying, neutering, low-cost vaccinations

and emergency medical care.

Join the fun on September 9, 2023 from 1-4 p.m. at the Outer Banks Family YMCA’s outdoor pool, located at 3000 South Croatan Hwy. in Nags Head.

$10 donations will be taken by cash or check, with no reservations required. Learn more about the YMCA of South Hampton Roads at ymcashr.org.

Safety, from 5B them to a veterinarian immediately. You can begin cooling the animal using a water hose or by applying wet towels to the paws and neck. Avoid using ice water, which can constrict blood vessels and impede cooling, but you can offer ice cubes to lick.

4) Be extra cautious with high-risk pets. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like bulldogs and pugs, are especially prone to heat stroke. So are pets who are very old, obese, have

thick coats, or have upper respiratory problems such as laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea. These dogs can even suffer heat prostration during temperatures in the 80s.

5) Salt water. Too much ingestion of this can cause moderate to severe GI disease and electrolyte imbalances.

6) Sand. Many dogs either intentionally or inadvertently ingest too much sand. This can cause anything from diarrhea and vomiting to a complete sand impaction.

7) Cats can overheat too! Make sure there is a clean fresh source of water and plenty of shade for outdoor cats. Remove any sources of unhealthy water such as free-standing dirty water as cats will drink anything when they are hot. Make sure their coats are well brushed. They shed excessively during the summer and are more prone to serious hairball impaction. A cat with heat prostration will show similar signs as a dog. Get these cats to your vet ASAP!

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Poodles and Bob owner Debra Johnson loves to share her knowledge and experience when it comes to pets with her customers.

COURTESY YMCA

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Poodles and Bob carries several products that pet owners can “top” their dog’s food with to add that extra boost of nutrition regularly.

DANIELLE PULEO PHOTO

Not only is the shop stocked with pet essentials, but Poodles and Bob offers grooming at their spa as well as cold laser and acupoint stimulation therapies.